We can analyze Mr. C's moves, and debate the SF position til the proverbial cows come home.... But.... A HEALTHY Dame Lillard???? Total. Game. Changer.
Here's my thoughts on that..... Dame is a great leader....Correct?...Check. Dame is intelligent...Correct?....Check. Dame has seen the emphasis on defense, not only the last half of last season, but saw it carry over to SL. Dame is The Dude. He will Abide.
My perspective on Dame playing defense is similar to yours on the possibility of Nas being a legit NBA starter--I'll believe it when I see it.
Dame has actually a few good defensive ratings in his career, notably 2014-15 when he had a 104.9 drtg. The past few seasons have been stinkers, however, leading to a decidedly meh drtg career average of 112.1. The question in my mind is how much of that was due to injury vs. age vs. carrying the team offensively. It's going to be interesting to see if he can play solid D now that his ab injury is repaired.
If he wants to ever legitimately enter the MVP conversation, he's gonna have to. Again--I'll believe it when I see it.
Should we all sign a giant banner that says "Dame you suck at defense" and send it to him? Oh.... how about a billboard out by the Rose Garden?
Honk once if you think Dame can put up a sub-110 drtg...Honk twice if you think he can't guard a chair?
joel embiid will be the front runner from the get go, last two seasons he couldve been the mvp, it was just that jokic did a little better than him, so i think narrative will be on his side luka is a close second for me, now without brunson hell have to play better than ever to get them into the playoffs, so hes gonna put up big numbers and have a lot of crazy games
People are forgetting Hardaway Jr was out for most of last year. Getting him back will be big for them and they added Wood. I would be surprised if they didn't finish above us. Luka is absolutely incredible.
I guess I've never been all that impressed with Hardaway. He just feels like an average starting 2 to me. Not bad, but not great. Nothing that stands out.